title: [Alopecia areata: diagnostic and therapeutic approach].
abstract: Alopecia Areata is a frequent cause of alopecia. This benign pathology can be psychologically very disabling; it is very important to give these patients a good support. The exact aetiology is unknown; there are several hypotheses, but the most likely seems to be the autoimmune mechanism. The importance of the symptoms can vary from a very small bald area to a complete loss of hair and influences the psychological impact, the prognosis and the therapeutic strategy. Several kinds of treatments can be proposed; they should be used in accordance with the type and the extent of the lesion, with the side effects and with the possible associated risk factors. A psychological support can be necessary in the management of an Alopecia Areata.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verraes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vereecken
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D013256:Steroids
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids
vernacular_title: Alopecia Areata: approche diagnostique et thérapeutique.